This weekend New Yorkers looking to explore the wonderful world of food have two similar, but oh-so-different, options laid out for them: the Fancy Food Show, running at the Javits Center from June 29th through July 1st, and the UnFancy Food Show, going down at the East River bar in Williamsburg on June 29th only.
The more staid Fancy Food Show is, first and foremost, a trade show. As such, it focuses on specialty foods and wines for restaurants, hotels, department stores, supermarkets, mail-order and the like, who make up a majority of its 20,000-odd guests. But that doesn't mean it isn't a great way to sample and learn about interesting products and processes. Meanwhile, the UnFancy Food Show focuses on food stuffs made in less industrial circumstances and in small batches. Products like local honeys, cheeses and beers are the soul of this more lighthearted affair. In the end, both events promise to be entertaining and edifying glimpses into an easily overlooked part of the food industry (Fancy Food Show, Sunday–Monday 10 AM–5 PM, Tuesday 10 AM–4 PM; $35 per person in advance, $60 per person at the door; to register visit www.specialtyfood.com; UnFancy Food Show, Noon–6 PM; $5 suggested donation).